November 28, 2018 — In a test involving the 85 m long Norwegian ferry Norled, Wärtsilä has successfully completed what is believed to be the first ever fully automated dock-to-dock operation, in complete hands-off mode, of a vessel of its size. Navigation of the vessel is controlled through the use of a series of tracks and waypoints, which guide the ship to the next destination.

The Greek Government announced on November 16, 2018 that it had implemented the TEPAH, commonly known as the Greek Cruising Tax. Initially it gave vessel owners just 10 days to pay the tax, but thanks to intervention from the Cruising Association (CA) this date has now been delayed to April 2, 2019.

November 27, 2018 — GTMaritime has signed an agreement making Chinese broadband satellite communications leader Marinesat a value added reseller. Marinesat has already begun to provide GTMaritime’s products as part of its offering with the first vessels coming on board in Japan in October 2018. The roll-out will continue into the Chinese market, across Asia and further afield.

Image caption: The ‘Folgefonn’ was operated autonomously for its entire route from dock-to-dock with the Wärtsilä automated dock-to-dock solution.

Wärtsilä Corporation, Press release, 28 November 2018 at 2 pm EET

The technology group Wärtsilä has successfully completed a further round of test procedures of its automated dock-to-dock solution. In an unprecedented operation, in the presence of the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA), the system was further tested on the ferry ‘Folgefonn’, this time for full dock-to-dock capability, with the autonomous operation being utilised uninterrupted for the entire route, visiting all three ports serviced by the ship.

Day 148: Jean-Luc Van Den Heede rounds Cape Horn and gains on all but Mark Slats

Susie Goodall praying for rain

Istvan Kopar facing major steering problems

Tapio Lehtinen – tested by head winds

Mark Sinclair and Igor Zaretskiy to stop in Australia

Dateline 14:00 UTC 26.11.2018 – Les Sables d’Olonne, France

Istvan Kopar now facing serious steering issues

Uku Randmaa, back up to speed after a week of calms

Tapio Lehtinen facing another 5 days of head winds

Jean-Luc Van Den Heede led the Golden Globe Race fleet of solo sailors round Cape Horn at 19:16 UTC on Friday having extended his lead on all but 2nd placed Dutchman Mark Slats during a week when those trailing up to 8,500 miles behind all faced serious trials.